Five Great Rail Journeys

Five Great Rail Journeys

At Regent Holidays, we scour the globe for trips that offer a travel experience unlike any other. With the Trans-Siberian Railway celebrating its 100th anniversary, we’re feeling inspired by rail journeys this year.

We’ve selected five iconic routes through spectacular scenery in our pick of the top train trips where the journey is as much of an adventure as the destination.

1. Journey Through Persia by Train, Iran

This unique train journey takes in ancient citadels and Persian palaces, travelling across lands where some of the world’s greatest kingdoms once rose and fell. Voyage from Kerman, the ancient trading city sat in the heart of the desert and grand Persian paradise gardens of Shiraz, to the Golestan Palace and spectacular bejewelled Qajar throne in Tehran. In between you’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Pasargadae and Persepolis, including the perfectly preserved bas relief carvings and crumbling palaces. Other highlights include the stunning blue domed Shah Mosque overlooking Esfahan’s grand square, as well as the sprawling gold-topped Haram shrine complex in Iran’s holiest city, Mashhad.

2. Panoramic Fjords Aboard the Flåm, Norway

Standing in the ticket office, when you hand over a fistful of Norwegian Krone you receive far more than a flimsy, stamped piece of paper in return. An hour-long journey aboard the Flåm Railway crams in the best of Norway’s astounding and varied natural scenery into one smooth expedition, starting at sea level on the banks of Sognefjord to reach the mountain station, Myrdal, 876 meters above in elevation. From your seat in the nostalgic, wood-panelled carriages you’ll chug through craggy and dramatic mountains, follow steep tracks winding through steep valleys and glide past the spectacular, thundering Kjosfossen waterfall close enough to feel the icy spray.

3. Trans-Siberian on the Tsar's Gold, Moscow to Beijing

The world’s greatest train journey stretches 7865km and has been attracting adventurers with ambition for more than a century. While the Great Wall and Red Square are the grandstand attractions at either end, it’s the experiences in between that stand out. Stop at the Siberian village of Listvyanka to explore the stunning shores of Lake Baikal, a UNESCO listed lake set amidst foreboding cliffs and ancient forest. Across the border in Mongolia spend time with a nomadic family in Terelj National Park, and get to know a way of life unchanged for centuries. Enjoy this grand route from Moscow to Beijing (or vice versa) in equally grand style aboard the luxurious Tsar’s Gold private train.

4. The Silk Road by Private Train, Central Asia

Discover the ancient trading towns of the Silk Road on a journey that crosses Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Climb aboard a comfortable, private train to follow in the footsteps of the early Silk Road traders from Ashgabat to Almaty, stopping to explore ancient Samarkand. Endless desert and steppe gently roll by as the train travels between the Central Asian republics where shimmering desert towns, ornate Islamic palaces and bizarre soviet structures vie for attention. Disembark to wander Tolkuchka Bazaar in Turkmeinstan’s eccentric capital, journey through Uzbekistan’s Kyzyl-Kum desert to reach the ancient city of Bukhara and enjoy the journey, as Uzbek wine tastings are on hand to entertain on board.

5. Rovos Rail, Southern Africa

The words ‘African Holiday’ often conjure up images of bouncing around in the back of a jeep, searching for exotic wildlife while sporting outfits that celebrate every shade of beige. But you don’t have to be an intrepid explorer to marvel at Africa’s natural beauty. Rediscover the romance of a bygone era aboard one of the classic locomotives run by Rovos Rail. Combine an exhilarating Zimbabwe safari, a stay at the colossal Victoria Falls and a cruise down the Zambezi River with a stylish journey through Eastern Africa. Set off from Johannesburg and watch scenic South Africa slide past the window, before rolling north through Botswana, Lonely Planet’s top country to visit in 2016, to cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Choice of beige, up to you.

This journey comes from our sister company, Rainbow Tours, who specialise in tailor-made trips to Africa, Latin America and Madagascar.

Once you've booked your epic railway journey with Regent Holidays, we recommend packing a copy of Railway Magazine to curl up with on board.

With over 40 years’ experience crafting tailor-made trips and award-winning group tours, you know that you’re in good hands with Regent Holidays. We’re also ABTA and ATOL bonded. Our knowledgeable experts travel frequently and extensively, so we know our destinations like the back of our hand and our team are always ready to offer you unparalleled advice when it comes to finding your perfect holiday. Pioneering trips that venture far from the beaten track set our pulses racing; we’re passionate about giving you unforgettable experiences and getting you under the skin of the country you choose to visit. We’ve always pushed the boundaries of alternative travel and we’ll take you to places that other tour operators can’t. North Korea or Nagorno-Karabakh, anyone?